Kiev: 'The spirit of Anchorage is dead' Putin's reply: 'We are invincible'

Kiev's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, declared that “the spirit of Anchorage is dead,” rejecting Russia’s recent proposal to revive discussions based on agreements made during the August 2025 summit between former U.S. president Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Anchorage talks, held in Alaska, were intended to address the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow asserting that they had secured agreement from Washington on freezing the frontline, withdrawing Ukrainian forces from areas still under Kyiv’s control in the Donbas, and recognizing de facto Russian control over occupied territories. However, according to Kyiv and its European allies, these agreements were never formally ratified and remained purely speculative. Sybiha emphasized that even U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had dismissed the existence of any concrete agreements reached in Anchorage. For Washington, the discussions were merely exploratory proposals, not binding commitments. This stance aligns with broader skepticism among Western nations about the feasibility of any peace plan that excludes direct participation from Ukraine. Sybiha warned that any peace initiative crafted without Ukraine’s involvement would ultimately fail, reinforcing the country’s insistence on being a central player in negotiations. Meanwhile, former U.S. president Donald Trump appears to have shifted his position on resolving the war quickly, especially without European consensus. According to reports from Axios, Trump expressed a more critical view of Putin during the G7 summit, suggesting that the so-called “Anchorage understandings” might need to be abandoned altogether. Some accounts indicate that Trump was skeptical of all matters related to Putin, advocating instead for increased pressure on Moscow. These remarks suggest a growing divergence between American political factions regarding how best to approach the crisis. In response, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s stance, invoking the myth of its military invincibility. During a speech at the Congress of United Russia, the ruling party preparing for parliamentary elections in September, he denounced Ukrainian incursions into Russian territory as “terrorist methods.” He also criticized the continued retreat of Ukrainian forces along the entire contact line, implying that such actions undermine the effectiveness of their military strategy. Putin further accused the West of failing to defeat Russia on the battlefield, framing the conflict as one where Russia remains unassailable. The tension escalated further when Russian forces launched several ballistic missiles toward Kiev overnight, resulting in explosions and fires in the Darnytskyi district. These attacks reportedly responded to recent Ukrainian raids targeting a strategic military installation and a crucial oil pipeline within Russian territory. Such incidents highlight the volatile nature of the conflict, with both sides continuing to escalate hostilities despite diplomatic efforts. In separate developments, Putin stated that he expects U.S. negotiators to engage once the United States concludes its most intense phase of dealings with Iran. Speaking in an interview, he noted that new proposals aimed at limiting hostilities in four regions are currently under discussion. While he acknowledged the possibility of future dialogue, he suggested that the timing of such talks would depend on the resolution of other geopolitical issues, particularly those involving Iran. These statements underscore the complex interplay of interests shaping the current situation. As the conflict continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, aware that the path forward will likely involve a delicate balance of diplomacy, military strength, and shifting alliances. With tensions high and the stakes ever increasing, the coming months could see significant changes in the trajectory of this protracted conflict.